Automatic Cooling for Wanhoe Duplicator 4

myminifactory

I’ve been putting this automatic fan upgrade to the test on my Duplicator 4 and it’s a total game-changer. The quality of life around here just got a whole lot better. Now I can start a print on my Dup 4, walk away, and know that the active cooling fan will kick in automatically. No more being tied down to the printer. It plugs right into my existing fan circuit using hardware that’s already there, making it super easy to install. Plus, it’s micro-adjustable, so I can set it to turn on after a certain distance into the print – up to about 5mm or even further if I use a longer M3 bolt in the adjustment mechanism. The fan always turns on at exactly the same spot, which is a huge improvement over when I had to do it manually. I’ve been pushing my printer hard lately, printing inventory for my web store, and I think my prints are coming out better than ever – consistent results all the way. There’s even a manual override switch just in case I need to go back to full manual control. I always wanted to be able to control my active cooling fan from gcode, but that would require soldering a surface mount MosFET (Q6) onto the Duplicator 4’s MightyBoard. I’m good at soldering, but Q6 is a surface mount part and without the right equipment, I wouldn’t dare risk damaging my MightyBoard and voiding my warranty. That would be a disaster to say the least. These boards are in short supply and I can’t afford to be down for even a minute. Plus, I usually just turn my active cooling on full after the first layer anyway – it’s not like I need to get fancy with gcode control. My i3 has gcode control, but I rarely use it beyond 100% fan after the first layer. That could be done with a micro switch and 3D printed mount, which is actually a pretty simple solution. Complete assembly instructions can be found here: https://ricswika.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/automatic-cooling-for-wanhoe-duplicator-4/ To get started, you’ll need the following hardware parts: * Sub-miniature Micro Switch With Lever Roller (Uxcell PN:s14073100am0209) * SPDT On/Off/On 3 Position Mini Toggle Switch (Amico PN:s12101100am0009) * Hex Nut Fastener, M3 Female Coarse Thread * Hex Drive Cap Screw, M3x10mm or M3x15mm * 3 ½” of heat shrink tubing * 3 feet two conductor hook up wire (old speaker wire works just fine)